Psalms 91

Land of Silence

It was a race between life and death as the poisonous cloud slithered through the valley. A leak at the local water treatment plant had unleashed a ominous beast of chlorine gas into our otherwise tranquil neighborhood. I was in high school at the time and naively unaware of just how close I was to deaths door as we evacuated our home that early morning. (September 2, 1987)

Over 20 years later we had just finished eating dinner with some friends when it began to rain. In what seemed like minutes, the street outside the small cafe filled with water. We quickly said our goodbyes and headed for the truck. I have heard about “flash flooding” but had never actually witnessed it until that night. Traffic was bumper to bumper as police standing in knee deep water directed everyone to safety. I remember coming down off a bridge, the water so high that cars were floating in the access road to our right. We had no choice but to continue moving forward. Little by little we inched our way passed stranded vehicles and businesses flooded with the black water. I had been studying Psalms 18 and the next day as I read again the psalmist’s words I knew we witnessed God’s saving hand…”He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He rescued me…”

As I reflect on my life there are many moments, either due to circumstances like the ones mentioned above or sadly due to poor choices on my part, that I have been in harms way. Yet God has been forever faithful to rescue me and lead me to safety. I am amazed at His loving kindness and marvel at His faithful protection.

“If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.” (Psalm 94:17)